Roman Reigns Has Leukemia, Relinquishes WWE Universal Championship

May 2024 · 2 minute read

WWE has released an official statement on the Roman Reigns cancer situation, and see how the professional wrestling world is reacting to the Roman Reigns cancer announcement.

Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i is no longer WWE Universal Champion. He opened WWE Monday Night RAW by announcing to the crowd that he’s no longer able to defend his belt due to his battle with leukemia. He had previously battled the cancer in the past, having gotten it to recede over a decade ago, but it had resurfaced recently. Of course, this means he’s out of his planned WWE Crown Jewel match against Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman.

"I've been living with leukemia for 11 years, and unfortunately it's back…I'm going to have to relinquish the Universal Championship." – @WWERomanReigns #RAW pic.twitter.com/WnT4qyBUSx

— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018

Watch the Roman Reigns Leukemia Announcement:

.@WWERomanReigns has to relinquish the Universal Championship due to a battle with leukemia. #Raw pic.twitter.com/EhomllNwjK

— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018

Despite the announcement, Reigns made it clear that he doesn’t want to treat this as a retirement. “After I’m done whooping leukemia’s ass I’m coming back home,” said Anao’i. He was later joined by his The Shield brethren Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins after leaving the Universal Championship in the ring.

There's no brotherhood greater.#Raw @WWERomanReigns @TheDeanAmbrose @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/QHFemFd9A5

— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018

We wish Roman Reigns all the best and a healthy recovery. Hopefully he’ll be back in the ring doing what he loves very soon.

Feel free to give your respectful Roman Reigns leukemia announcement thoughts below.

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